I feel like it's my CPAP graduation

[DreamStalker]

Well today is my CPAP.com anniversary. On July 15 of last year I had my first sleep lab study and I was diagnosed with severe OSA (about 100 apnea events per hour plus a couple of extra hypopneas per hour thrown in for some diversity and O2 saturations as low as 60% with an average of about 80%). A couple of weeks later the sleep doc made the official diagnosis that I had severe sleep apnea (his second worse case ever) and recomended that I try his gold-standard CPAP therapy. So on the night of August 1, I started my treatment (ResMed Elite and a set of Breeze pillows). Fastforward from a year ago today when I joined this fantastic forum and my average AHI has been 0.4 with pretty much zero apneas per night during the last 6 months.

Of course it was a very important day to discover that finally I had an answer to the question of why I was always so tired with aching muscles and severe migraines and having to get up to use the restroom 5 or 6 times a night among other health issues I had developed. Then my first full night on CPAP was an absolute dream … I literally dreamed all night (something I had not done in many years). I felt like I was fifteen years younger the next morning.

But it was finding and joining this great forum that made the most difference in my life … providing me the most detailed information and explanations regarding my OSA condition and treatment. My sleep doc and DME/RT basically left me to sink or swim with my treatment (one would think his second worse case ever would get a little more attention ). This forum empowered me with the knowledge to take control of not only my treatment, but also my life. The really ironic thing is that today I received a friendly reminder from the sleep clinic that it was time for a follow up visit with the sleep doc.

Anyway, I will be forever thankful to Johnny Goodman for providing the web resources for this forum. More importantly, I am so grateful to the wonderful members that make this forum (especially the old timers that hang out here giving of their knowledge month after month, year after year) such a great place to talk about all things CPAP and other stuff as well.

I will be taking a hiatus from the forum to pursue a few dreams of mine (like the verse from an old Rush song – “life is like a candle and dreams must give it flame”) … now that I have the energy to pursue them.

Thanks everyone and best wishes!

- roberto

[drummergirl410]

Comgratulations!

I hope that this time next year I will look back on my first year and feel exactly the same way! So far, I think that's a possibility. Have fun while you're out there following your dreams! Drop in if you get a chance and tell us how it's going!

[bdp522]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!

Please do stop in when you have some free time! I'm gonna miss you!!!

Brenda

[TxDreamseeker]

I celebrate my 1 yr anniversary tomorrow. Know how you feel about passing that milestone. We've all gotten so much good advice from you and especially every now and then, a reallly good laugh.

Check in from time to time, you know you can't stay away long!

Good luck and keep on dreaming.

Ina

[Guest]

Happy Anniversary! I'm so happy for you, and have enjoyed your posts. I have a feeling it might be harder than you think to stay away from this wonderful forum, and all your friends.
Anyway. go get 'em , Tiger.
Lee Lee

[Guest]

Congratulations in every way!

I am grateful for your story, Roberto. You are one of my inspirations on this forum, knowing how severe your sleep apnea was and how you have gotten it down to zero most nights. I figured, if someone with such severe apnea could do it, so can I. The fact that you are going to do some of the things you care about and are now able to do is further inspiration. I'd love to hear about them, and even in general terms if you don't want to give specifics.

Over the upcoming months, I hope to be helping some people I know who have severe sleep apnea to have successful treatment. I'll be telling them about your success, too. I plan to print out your anniversary post to show them.

I also appreciate the advice you have given me and others to help us be successful. Among these are your modification of the Breeze, which is on my list of masks to try. Your graphics are my favorite graphics on the site! I'll miss your posts, but good to know the reason for your absence is your great success!

[Slinky]

Ahhhh, DreamStalker .... Roberto. I am so going to miss you!

Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on progressing so far in such a short time. Yes, you are an inspiration ... dang you are gonna be missed.

Whatever. ENJOY! You've earned it.

[JeffH]

Congrats on a year. That is great. Now don't go away too far. I need a little help with these folks from other parts of the country than the hot, Texas and Oklahoma area.

Thanks for the help you've given me this last year. I've appreciated it greatly.


JeffH

[cflame1]

Congrats Roberto!

[sharon1965]

ROBERTO!!!
say it ain't so!
i always read threads that you have posted on!
you changed your avatar back for me!
you considered trying to lure me to vegas!!
what will i do without you?
well, enough about me, congratulations on your milestone, and best wishes in pursuing your dreams, waking and sleeping...
you've helped make my first six months more manageable, and i sincerely thank you
you will be missed...take good care and come back and see us soon!


sharon1965

[j.a.taylor]

DreamStalker,

Roberto, I hardly knew ye, but already have really enjoyed your posts and your comments. You have a great sense of humor (I like humor a little warped), and great advice when it's needed.

Congratulations on your anniversary, and enjoy stalking those dreams!

[Babette]

CONGRATULATIONS!

AU REVOIR!

AND THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for all your help and good humour!!!! You've been a treasured cyber-pal Roberto, and I shall miss you! Come chat anytime!!!!

Huggers,
Babette

[itchysmom]

Roberto!!!

Congrats on your milestone!! You will be sorely missed. How about adding a laptop to the extra gear you have to carry on your travels?? Wireless internet...drop in now and again??

Thanks for all of the great advice!!

Nancy

[RosemaryB]

I almost forgot to add two other things I appreciate: One is your GREAT sense of humor.

Second is your consistently confronting the "guest" who tries to sabotage people's treatment success by telling them they should not even have an autopap, etc. You did that so well!

At first, when you are very new to this, it's confusing to have someone who seems like an expert tell you these things. You shed light on them and sometimes gave us a laugh in the process.

[JZ]

But it was finding and joining this great forum that made the most difference in my life … providing me the most detailed information and explanations regarding my OSA condition and treatment.

Anyway, I will be forever thankful to Johnny Goodman for providing the web resources for this forum. More importantly, I am so grateful to the wonderful members that make this forum (especially the old timers that hang out here giving of their knowledge month after month, year after year) such a great place to talk about all things CPAP and other stuff as well.

Congrats, DreamStalker. Right you are about this forum. Please know you have given so much back. I have learned from your posts and laughed at your humor. You have been a tremendous help and support to newbies and old timers alike. Thank you.

Janna